Page 73 of Crimson Love

Another bow from Devon. “I’ll give you a chance to study the menu and be back with your wine.”

Andrei jostles the contents of his crystal lowball. “I don’t like this side of you—” He’s about to call me pet again but stops himself. “Lennon.”

I lean forward but don’t lower my tone. “Why? Because I’m not under your control any longer? Sorry, Andrei. I love this side of me. I’m embracing my new freedom with every ounce of my being.” I turn to Jett and give his forearm a squeeze. “Isn’t that right?”

We discussed our plan of action for tonight. I told him I thought the fastest way to poke the bear was to flaunt us.

Jett spears me a look reserved for lovers. “That’s right, baby. From now on, it’s you and me. And I’m not letting you go.”

“Your cabernet, ma’am.” Devon arrives at my side and places the stemmed glass full of wine that’s only a tad bit darker than my dress. “Do you have any questions about the menu? Would you care to hear the specials?”

“No,” Andrei bites. “Leave us.”

Another bow from Devon. “Of course. I’ll check back.”

I can’t think about the fact that my boss is going through this for me, but I’ll have to deal with that later.

“Rude as always. I see nothing’s changed, no matter how desperate you are.” I lift my wine to take a sip. I’m finally channeling the confidence I had to dig deep for. I set my wine down and entwine my fingers with Jett’s. “And I know just how desperate you are. That’s why we’re here. I have what you want. And I’m not giving it up without a fight.”

Andrei shakes his head, and his demeanor has taken an ice bath. He’s back to cool and collected. “You’re playing games you’re not equipped for, darling. If I were you, I’d cut your losses and hand over the jewels. I’ll overlook your transgressions ... and the state in which you left my yacht. Does your new lover know your tendency for violence?”

Jett leans back in his chair. “I know everything. You have an interesting take on violence, Petrov. In America, we call it self-defense.”

Petrov hikes a brow. “So you know. You must hide the knives and fuck her with one eye open. All those years I kept my word to her father. Is her pussy that good? I should have sampled it—or profited from it.”

I tense even though I’m used to this from Andrei. He was all bark and no bite when it came to flaunting me in front of his clients and friends.

Jett, however, is not used to it. “It is. Though I don’t need to lock her up like you did. That says a lot about you and me. I’m that good, and you’re just ... not.”

Oh, God. We haven’t even had sex and that’s hot.

Jett should not be saying things like that right now, and I certainly should not be reacting the way I am to them.

I shift in my seat.

Jett pulls my hand to his lips and aims a sexy gaze on me. “Don’t worry, baby. This will be over soon, and we can get back to more enjoyable things.”

Andrei glares at us before checking the time. “You may think you hold the cards, Lennon, but you don’t. Just you wait. When the tables turn, you won’t know which way is up. You’ll be begging to make a deal with me in exchange for what is rightfully mine.”

“You gave me six years of hell while holding me captive,” I say, doing anything I can to get him to talk. “I watched the filth of the earth pass through your yacht. Cartels, mafia, low-level drug runners ... while all I could do is sit in hell and dream of freedom. The only thing I want from you is to know why. Why was kidnapping me worth it?”

My desperation to get him to talk mingles with my desperation to know why me. What was so special about me? He could have hired any desperate woman who was willing to live in luxury and hand out food and drinks.

Andrei tsks me and picks up his vodka, this time for a longer pull. Maybe I’ll get lucky, and he’ll drink too much and get loose-lipped. He does like his vodka. “My little pet, always getting ahead of herself.”

Jett smacks the table with his hand. “What did I say about —”

That’s when it happens.

Andrei smiles like a cat who caught the mouse.

And a voice from another life joins our fray. “Hello, Lennon.”

I jerk and turn when I hear that voice.

No.

I can’t believe my eyes.